My Mommy's Tote: Way more than a pop-up board book

I generally forego reviewing baby and kid products that have little more going for them than cute. Given that we're all about the time-saving, problem-solving hack and not the awwww factor most products I get pitched don't make it past my inbox. But when My Mommy's Tote (Workman Publishing) arrived, I was overcome with delight in spite of myself.

Amazon describes My Mommy's Tote as an "interactive gift" and a "die-cut cornucopia." To call it a book somehow doesn't do it justice. It has the sturdy feel of a board book, but it's designed to mimic the fun of exploring Mommy's purse and finding all sorts of exotic treasures. The design is amazing, and the details are clever (check out the "No whining" button on the front). There are all sorts of removable pieces, including Mommy's laptop (nice), a wallet with credit cards, and a wipe-off board. Lots of stuff to open, spin, flip, and manipulate. Dang cute.

From the same author: My Granny's Purse and My Grandpa's Briefcase.

Win it! You've got to see this for yourself. I'll send a copy of My Mommy's Tote to one random commenter who answers the following question:

What's the most useful kid-wrangling item you keep in your purse, bag or pocket?

At the moment, mine would be chocolate-dipped Altoids. The ultimate distraction, let me tell you.

I'll pick a winner on Friday 12/14 at 5pm PST!

Comments

[Emily]

Honestly, my Ipod with video capabilities. I download a show or video that they love, and when I need them to quiet down, give them each an ear plug and let them go at it.

[MamaChristy]

Little cars always fascinate my son and I can usually find one in my bag somewhere.

My little guy would LOVE this cool book!

[Preschool Mom]

Once when I couldn't find a pen (my usual standby) I let my daughter color with an old lipstick. I'm sure the other parents in that particular waiting room were thrilled at the example I set.

[Sylvia]

Ha- I have a 6.5 month old boy, so anything made of cardboard will work just dandy. But, of course, my keys are the ultimate most marvelous thing in the universe!

[Michele]

The classic wallet and the new classic cell phone (with buttons locked....)

[Stephanie]

I usually keep a small snack and a board book in my purse...

[jessica]

I keep a toy that she only gets to see when we are out and about...seems like a new toy each time she sees it!

[Carrie S.]

My son really digs my cell phone, so we pulled out an old cell and gave it to him. He can "call" grandma anytime he wants!

[April]

I try to keep a picture book that she does not normally get to see in my bag. If all else fails she loves my keys

[Kim]

Ohhh pick me! My best wrangling device is food. He isn't picky- but his favorites are cheese crackers and goldfish.

[Amanda]

My cell phone (with outgoing calls disabled) can buy me a solid 10 minutes of peace and quiet from my 14 month old. Car keys used to be popular, but not anymore. Paper and pen also work, but only when I can supervise. Kleenexes are fun for him to tear up, or I unfold it and put it on his head for a quick round of peek-a-boo.

[Jenny]

I keep a matchbox police car my son goes nowhere without. :) It works wonders. heh

[Amanda]

chapstick is what works for us and candy!! lots of suckers. oh and gum, they love gum.

[Elizabeth]

An old cell phone. He doesn't care that he can't call anyone, he loves the buttons.

[Lisa R.]

I have a board book, an only-when-we're-out toy, and a snack, but the only thing guaranteed to effectively wrangle are my car keys.

[Ursula]

My iPhone loaded with episodes of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and snacks. Those two items (together or seperate) can save us from a meltdown in almost any situation. :)

[Julie]

My son's young enough that we can get by with cheerios and look-alikes of grown-up items (like a keychain that looks like mine, since he can't have y keys while I'm driving). I'm excited to see what some of the parents of older kids have to say, though!

[Trisha]

dumdum suckers, she LOVES them. And If I can find banana or some other not red/blue/purple color, the better.
Also I let her look through my wallet at all the "membership" type cards- video store etc.

[Ashlee]

When she was little it was a compact mirror. These days it's a container of trail mix.

[Ashlee]

I guess I should add that the trail mix doubles as a game. "Find me three raisins." "How many different things can you find?" or her favorite "Eat all the chocolate chips before mommy takes them."

[Coco Bean]

Most of the items mentioned in previous comments are items that at one time or another, were used for useful "kid-wrangling" with our child.

But the item currently being used in my purse is a digital camera. Mesmerizes for a pretty good period of time.

[Melissa]

My trick is "anything new". It can be absolutely anything: a balled up piece of paper, a doodad, or a thingamabobby - as long as its something she hasn't seen before. Keeps her entertained for at least 5 or 10 minutes!! :-)

Sigh. :-\

[Meg]

I keep Flickr MOO cards in my purse. 100 tiny photos of themselves keep them busy for a long while. Thanks!

[Chicory]

I created a bead box for my 2 year old daughter... it has big (but much smaller than typical "toddler" wooden lacing beads) glass beads and smaller pony beads and a couple of strings from a bead necklace making kit for older children. She'll sit for at least 10 minutes or more fiddling with those beads and putting them on and off the string. I keep it in my purse and she only gets to play with it when I'm in extreme need of her to be quiet and occupied.

[Laura Young]

When I need to get some shopping done and my 2.5 yr old does not want to be in the cart, I pull out the IPod Nano. He loves it and loves listening to the music. It lets me get Christmas shopping done or grocery shopping without having to rush. It works perfect every time!